Figure "ikenga" · Nigeria, Igbo · ID: 3034417
Description
wood, encrusted brown patina, with pipe and two long horns, fragmentary, cracks, missing parts through insect damage, metal socle;
an “ikenga” figure is carved on the occasion of the foundation of a house, because it represents strength and protection. It will be destroyed in case of the owner’s death. The horns are the most important part of the figure, they are related to the god of thunder. “Ikenga” figures are formed variable, they can be carved naturalistic or abstract.
The object Figure “ikenga” with the object ID 3034417 was last part of the auction 72nd tribal art auction at March 9, 2013 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house. The object with the lot number 344 achieved a sales price of EUR 800.
You can find more Figures and other popular object types on our related topic pages. You may also be interested in our page on African art.